Chapter 26: chapter 26

CHAPTER 26I am back home or rather, my new home. Mama said she had all our things moved while I was at work, and is hoping I won’t mind moving in. How can I mind? I have my father and brother back in my life; there is nothing more I could wish for. I walk to the kitchen to check if mama is there so I can say hi.“Hi, mama,”“Hello, Katherine,” Oh my God, mama just called my full name. I am in deep shit; because mama never calls my full name except when I have done something wrong.“Where were you last night?” She says with a straight face.“Mama, I can explain,” I say stepping close to her to try and calm her down.“I am listening,”“I went out with Enzo. I know you are going to say, ‘why did I not tell you before leaving.’ But the thing is, I did not plan to leave with him last night. I had a dream and called Enzo. When he heard me crying on the phone he came straight away. I asked him to take me to his house because I did not want to wake anyone. I am sorry I did not tell you. I know I must have almost caused you a heart attack when you found out from the guard that I left last night. And with uncle knowing of my existence, and all, making it not safe for me. I am so sorry for giving you a scare; I never meant to.” I say hugging her to let her know I am sorry.“I know you are old enough to take care of yourself. But I just like knowing where you are to make sure you are safe. Because like you said your uncle knows about your existence and that is not good.” she says hugging me back.“I know. I love you,” I say pecking her cheeks.“I love you too,” she says kissing my forehead.“Alright, let me go and change before Papa comes back so I will be ready.”“Alright, sweetheart.”I walk upstairs to change into a pair of jeans and a shirt with a couple of sneakers. I walk downstairs to meet mama and talk to her about something when the reason why I want to talk to her starts calling me.“Hey, love,”“Hi, mi amore, have you gotten home?”“Yes, I have. How are things holding up at work?” I say while walking to the kitchen.“Work is fine, and I think I have found someone to be my assistant so you won’t have to worry yourself.”“That’s great, honey, I pray she lasts long.”“You never know, she might. But that’s not the only reason I am calling. I am calling to tell you that my best friend Zino is in town and was thinking of having dinner together. Are you free tonight?”“Yes, I don’t have anything planned; what time is the dinner?”“It’s at 7:00 pm. But mi amore, I won’t be able to pick you up, because I will be leaving the office a bit late and the driver won’t be available. Do you mind coming yourself?”“No, not at all, I will be there on time.”“Alright honey, bye, talk to you later.”“Bye love,” I say, dropping the phone on the counter. As soon as I put my phone down, mama speaks.“I am guessing that was Enzo.”“Yes, it was him; he was inviting me to dinner tonight.”“Alright, but I wanted to ask you something before you went upstairs to change. What kind of dream did you have that you needed Enzo to come all the way here” She says looking at me with curiosity in her eyes“Mama, I remembered everything, and it was just too much for me to bear and I felt like talking to someone about it. So I called Enzo, but he did not even let me speak, and the next thing I knew he was here in less than 10 minutes.”“I am so sorry you had to remember everything in one night. I can bet it was too much to handle, dear, but I promise with time you will feel better.” Mama says holding my hands giving it a warm squeeze.“I do feel a little bit better; Enzo helped me last night. He is the reason I was able to wake up this morning smiling,” I say smiling remembering all the encouraging words Enzo said to me.“I am not surprised he did; he loves you, dear.”“I don’t know mama.”“Why would you say that?”“Because Enzo might be the most amazing guy I have ever seen, but he has not told me and I fear he might not.”“Don’t worry, honey he does, and when he realises it he will tell you at his own time, so don’t stress yourself.”“Alright if you say so, mama, but when did you know you loved Papa?” I say and look up to see Papa at the entrance of the kitchen. He gives me a sign to not let mama know he is here. Her back is facing him so she can’t see him.“That’s easy. As you know, your papa and I had an arranged marriage so it was not easy, but your papa is amazing. When I first married your papa, I did not like him. We hardly even spoke to each other. I found him to be a very proud man. But the day I saw him take a bullet for me, even though he didn’t know me that well, that’s when I knew there is more to him than just a proud man. From that day on I started seeing your papa in a different light, and before I knew what was happening I started having feelings for your papa. But when I knew I loved your papa was when I was pregnant with your brother. The way he handled the news that we were expecting was not what I expected and it just made me realise I was in love with him all along. I did not just know it, because trust me, if it was left to your papa he would have me all to himself.” mama says smiling as she remembers all her memories with papa, as he comes up behind her and kisses her.“That was amazing love,” papa says.“How long were you standing there, listening?”“Long enough, sweetheart.”“Are you ready dear?” papa says to me.“Yeah”“Alright, let me just change, then we can be on our way.”Papa changes into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. We walk out to his Mercedes Rosy Brown G-wagon and get in. Once he starts driving, he starts talking.“How are you holding up, dear, with all the memories coming back?”“It’s been hard, but with Enzo’s help I am getting better.”“I am happy to hear that and knowing that it’s Enzo, makes me know you are in good hands.”“I am happy you approve of my relationship with him,” I say laughing.“I did not say that,” Papa says giving me a funny look.“I know you, Papa. I might be 22, but to you I will always be your little girl.”“That’s right,” he says ruffling my hair.We arrive at the shooting range and we get our guns and move to where we can start shooting. I take a few shots. They’re okay, but none are perfect. Papa teaches me how to shoot well, and once he starts talking it’s like all my memories of mafia training come back. It made shooting so much easier with all the memories back. After shooting for some hours, papa and I decide to go home. Papa practically made me shoot every type of gun there is, and my body is killing me with all the standing and holding of firearms.We arrive at home by 6; I go straight upstairs to get ready for the dinner with Enzo and his friend. Before stepping into the shower, I text Enzo, to send me the address of the restaurant.After showering I pick out a long red dress, it has a v-neckline. I pick out nude heels with golden earrings. I apply a little bit of makeup and spray perfume before walking downstairs. I step outside to get a cab, but unforunately I can’t seem to get one. I try ordering Uber, but he takes fifteen minutes before he gets here. Enzo is so going to kill me; I know how much he hates lateness. I text him that I am running a little late, but I will be there soon.I arrive at the restaurant. I check my time before walking in; luckily I am only 10 minutes late. A guy leads me to a private area where Enzo and Zino are sitting with a lady that looks like she is around the same age as me. Enzo walks up to me when he sees me approaching. He puts his hands around my waist and whispers in my ears before we get to our seats.“Why are you late? Did something happen on your way?” he asks sounding worried.“I am sorry I am late; nothing happened on my way. It was just hard to get a ride that’s all” I say whispering back in his ear.“It’s fine, as long as you are here now,” he says pulling out a chair for me to sit.“Hi, Katherine,” Zino says standing up to hug me before I sit down.“Hi, Zino, I am sorry I’m late,” I say hugging him back.“It’s fine; I would like you to meet my wife,” he says introducing me to the lady sitting beside him.“Hi, I am Victoria. It’s nice to meet you,” she says standing up to hug me.“Hello, I am Katherine. It’s nice to meet you too,” I say hugging her back before sitting down.After our greetings, to my utmost surprise, my brother and Sofia join us for dinner. Enzo, Antonio and Zino have been friends for years, but Enzo and Zino have been friends since birth. We all order our food and while we are eating the guys talk about different things that make sense to them while Sofia and I become friendly with Victoria.She is a lovely lady; she has been with Zino for about two years now. We all had a good time. Antonio asked me to tell mama and papa he won’t be coming home tonight when I get back. We say our goodbye’s to everyone, before Enzo and I walk to his car to be on our way. When he starts driving, we start chat about each other’s day.“So, how was shooting?” he says while stealing a few glances my way.“It was hard at first, but when Papa told me what to do and how to do it, it was a piece of cake.”“That’s good; how far are we coming with the event on Saturday?”“I did not check in today, but there are only little things left to be done. By tomorrow everything should be ready.”“Alright, but before you go to work tomorrow, please stop by my place.”“Okay, I will. Your penthouse or your parent's place?”“My parent's place. I am too tired to drive to my penthouse tonight. Here we are.”“Alright, bye love,” I say leaning in to kiss him.“Bye, Mi amore,” he says after kissing me back.